Central Plant Systems and Chilled Water Systems
Central plant systems typically consist of components to provide chilled water for cooling, and use a boiler for heating water. Boilers typically operate at 17º F to 200º F, although…
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The Difference Between a Conventional Roof System and a Protected Membrane Roof
Conventional Roof System In a conventional roof system, the insulation is installed under the roof membrane. This is the most common low-slope roof application. Learn how to identify conventional low…
The Thermodynamics of Thermal Insulation
Terms You Should Know Thermal conductivity Thermal conductivity is the K-value. It is the measure of a material’s ability to conduct heat. A low K-value indicates that the material does…
Types of Low-Slope Roof Thermal Insulation
The insulation used in low-slope roof assemblies typically falls into one of the four categories: rigid board insulation; dual-purpose structural deck and insulating planks; lightweight insulating concrete (LWIC); or sprayed…
Advantages and Disadvantages of Thermal Insulation in Commercial Roofing
Thermal insulation helps shield a building’s interior so that it’s less affected by the exterior temperature, thereby substantially reducing the building’s energy usage, as well as energy costs. This can…
Why Low-Slope Roofs Fail
All buildings are capable of having an unlimited physical service life, but not an unlimited economic life. No other building system surpasses roofs as a source of litigation. Roofs may…
Low-Slope Roof Construction and Failure Assignment of Responsibilities
The complexities involved in adequately designing a roof for optimal long-term performance are reflected by the number of factors that a designer must consider, including: original construction and life-cycle (long-term)…
Low-Slope Roof Components
The following information is a general overview of basic and accessory low-slope roof components, their major design factors, functions, and common failures. The three main components of a low-slope roof…
The History of Low-Slope Roofs
Low-slope roofs were a late invention in building construction. This was mostly because steep-slope roofs exhibited superior water-shedding properties. Also, before industrialization, much of the manufacturing of goods was done…
Cast-Iron Steam Boilers
Cast-iron boilers are often found in residential applications and small commercial installations. These boilers are compact and function exclusively in low-pressure steam or hot-water applications. Cutaway view of cast-iron steam…
Fuel or Gas Train for Commercial Boilers
by Joe Farsetta, Certified Master Inspector® and Certified Commercial Inspector The fuel or gas train is a series of components – some working independently, and others working in tandem with…
Low-Water Cutoffs
by Joe Farsetta, Certified Master Inspector® and Certified Commercial Inspector An integral part of every steam boiler is a low-water cutoff. A safety feature born of necessity in the 1920s,…